The Zimbabwean Gardener Issue 15 Summer 2015/2016 Low res | Page 3

Welcome note Do the ‘wants’ not the ‘shoulds’! ‘Why do most of our New Year’s resolutions focus on things we should do, and not things we want to do’? Are you a New Year’s resolution junkie like me? Each and every year, I make lists of what I have to achieve. I must admit that I am usually over ambitious and struggle to keep the list to two or three resolutions. I generally end up with a long list of 12 goals that are divided into work, health, garden and me. I always manage to achieve over 50% of them, but the ones I don’t achieve get moved on to the next year’s list. Looking back, I now realise that I keep moving the same ones every year. This year, I have decided to revamp the list completely and eliminate those pesky ‘move-ons’! The top five resolutions, worldwide in 2015, were to lose weight, to get organised, to spend less (or save more), to get fit and to stay healthy. Did you have any of those on your list? Were you part of the 10% who achieved theirs? I hope so! However, looking at those resolutions begs the question, ‘Why do most of our New Year’s resolutions focus on things we should do, and not things we want to do’? As an enthusiastic gardener, I get free therapy and a big buzz from achieving stuff in the garden. Therefore, I have decided to focus my New Year’s resolutions around my garden. The list is easy: mulch more often, become more water wise, go more organic, but wait! Those are the ‘shoulds’, not the ‘wants’. Most importantly, the ‘wants’ should be fun and something you love doing. After much thought, I have come up with a list of realistic, attainable and enjoyable ‘wants’ for 2016 in my garden. 1. Put solar fairy lights in the veggie garden to bring it to life at night. 2. Attract more birds to my garden by growing more bushes and trees. I love listening to the birds chatter! 3. Plant a fruit tree I don’t already have. Fruit trees are quickly becoming my latest passion. 4. Redesign a small area in my garden. 5. Grow more plants from seeds from the kitchen. Watching seeds grow is so therapeutic and satisfying. 6. Put a beehive in my garden! Recently I helped Mike Schmolke publish his book, ‘Beekeeping in Zimbabwe with top bar hives’. Mike got me hooked on bees! Call him on 04 882 137 to buy his book. 7. Last, but certainly not least, stop and smell the roses! 2015 was a busy year for me and I did not spend nearly as much time in the garden as I would have liked. What fun and achievable things do you want to do in the garden in 2016? Whatever your resolutions are, make sure they are ‘wants’ and not ‘shoulds’, as they will be easier to achieve! Wishing you all a Happy Christmas and wonderful 2016! Kari P.S. Don’t forget to follow The Zimbabwean Gardener on facebook for more tips and ideas.